1957
Richard
2014
Richard Ford, Jr.
October 20, 1957 — February 21, 2014
Richard Ford, age 56, passed away unexpectedly on February 21st, at Torrance Memorial Hospital.
He was a native Californian and lifelong South Bay resident. Richard was born in Torrance to parents, Caroline and Richard Ford. He attended local schools, graduating from Redondo Union High School in 1976.
Richard served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1985, attaining the rank of corporal. His proudest accomplishment in life was his military service. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and Okinawa, Japan. He worked undercover narcotics investigation with NCIS and was a Super Squad member. Richard was trained as a sniper and won many shooting competitions. Before he was honorably discharged, he received the Rifleman Marksman badge, Sea Service ribbon, and the Good Conduct medal.
After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Richard returned to the South Bay. He worked for Storm Industries as a drywall installer. When the housing market faltered, he sought employment as a tow truck driver. He was employed by a number of companies, including Van Lingen Towing in Torrance.
While working for Van Lingen, he met his future wife, Cheryl Huddle. Cheryl, a Services Officer for the Torrance Police Department, was assigned to the Traffic Division. When she requested a tow for a vehicle impound, Richard was dispatched to her call, and the rest is history. They were married in 1999, at the Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes. Although they were in the process of a divorce at the time of his passing, they still enjoyed each other's company and shared a close friendship.
After leaving the towing industry, Richard worked as a delivery driver, most recently for the OnTrac company. After suffering a work related injury, which ended his driving career, he started his own handyman business, "Rent-A-Husband". Establishing this business gave him the exposure that led to his "dream job" (in his words). At the time of his death, he was an independent contractor, repairing and renovating rental units for the Shorewood Property Management Division, in Manhattan Beach.
Richard had a funny sense of humor and a quick wit. He was a great cook, who will always be remembered for his "kick ass" salsa! Other hobbies included fishing, biking, and collecting Hot Wheels. He spent hours in his workshop and could build or repair anything. While in his "man cave", he listened to the blues, enjoying the old classics of BB King and Blind Boys of Alabama. Richard also loved the haunting soundtrack music from numerous Cirque Du Soleil performances he attended. He took great pride in his shiny Toyota truck and went to the Toyota Grand Prix every year. He enjoyed TV crime shows, especially Law & Order and CSI. Travel included many road trips to Laughlin, Big Bear, and the Central Coast. He loved to fall asleep to the sound of rain on the roof. Richard's favorite food was sushi and he never turned down a good beer!
He was an emotional and caring man who loved animals. Over the years, Richard brought many rescues home, to join our family. Our pups, Rocky and Sadie were his kids. He shared a unique bond with our Doberman, Sadie, who saw him through very difficult times. He was also a generous man. Richard volunteered many hours to help build an Extreme Home Makeover house for an LAPD officer, injured in the line of duty. He was also honored for assisting in the King Harbor clean up following the massive fish die off.
Richard is survived by his wife, Cheryl; sisters, Yvonne Paoletti (Harley Lipton) and Kathleen Hope-Delanoy (Bob); and brother, Charles Ford (Dia). He is also survived by mother-in-law, Nadine Huddle, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Richard is missed like crazy by his rescue pup, Rocky.
He is pre-deceased by parents, Richard and Caroline Ford; beloved godmother, Ruth Brunie; and aunt Della. On the eve of his last birthday, Richard was preceded in death by the TRUE love of his life, our Doberman, Sadie. He called her his "BabyGirl"...and she truly was!
Richard's wife and family would like to extend their thanks to the Torrance Police Department, for their support during this difficult time. Services will be held at Green Hills Memorial Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at 3 pm. Interment will be private.
Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275
He was a native Californian and lifelong South Bay resident. Richard was born in Torrance to parents, Caroline and Richard Ford. He attended local schools, graduating from Redondo Union High School in 1976.
Richard served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1985, attaining the rank of corporal. His proudest accomplishment in life was his military service. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton and Okinawa, Japan. He worked undercover narcotics investigation with NCIS and was a Super Squad member. Richard was trained as a sniper and won many shooting competitions. Before he was honorably discharged, he received the Rifleman Marksman badge, Sea Service ribbon, and the Good Conduct medal.
After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Richard returned to the South Bay. He worked for Storm Industries as a drywall installer. When the housing market faltered, he sought employment as a tow truck driver. He was employed by a number of companies, including Van Lingen Towing in Torrance.
While working for Van Lingen, he met his future wife, Cheryl Huddle. Cheryl, a Services Officer for the Torrance Police Department, was assigned to the Traffic Division. When she requested a tow for a vehicle impound, Richard was dispatched to her call, and the rest is history. They were married in 1999, at the Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes. Although they were in the process of a divorce at the time of his passing, they still enjoyed each other's company and shared a close friendship.
After leaving the towing industry, Richard worked as a delivery driver, most recently for the OnTrac company. After suffering a work related injury, which ended his driving career, he started his own handyman business, "Rent-A-Husband". Establishing this business gave him the exposure that led to his "dream job" (in his words). At the time of his death, he was an independent contractor, repairing and renovating rental units for the Shorewood Property Management Division, in Manhattan Beach.
Richard had a funny sense of humor and a quick wit. He was a great cook, who will always be remembered for his "kick ass" salsa! Other hobbies included fishing, biking, and collecting Hot Wheels. He spent hours in his workshop and could build or repair anything. While in his "man cave", he listened to the blues, enjoying the old classics of BB King and Blind Boys of Alabama. Richard also loved the haunting soundtrack music from numerous Cirque Du Soleil performances he attended. He took great pride in his shiny Toyota truck and went to the Toyota Grand Prix every year. He enjoyed TV crime shows, especially Law & Order and CSI. Travel included many road trips to Laughlin, Big Bear, and the Central Coast. He loved to fall asleep to the sound of rain on the roof. Richard's favorite food was sushi and he never turned down a good beer!
He was an emotional and caring man who loved animals. Over the years, Richard brought many rescues home, to join our family. Our pups, Rocky and Sadie were his kids. He shared a unique bond with our Doberman, Sadie, who saw him through very difficult times. He was also a generous man. Richard volunteered many hours to help build an Extreme Home Makeover house for an LAPD officer, injured in the line of duty. He was also honored for assisting in the King Harbor clean up following the massive fish die off.
Richard is survived by his wife, Cheryl; sisters, Yvonne Paoletti (Harley Lipton) and Kathleen Hope-Delanoy (Bob); and brother, Charles Ford (Dia). He is also survived by mother-in-law, Nadine Huddle, numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Richard is missed like crazy by his rescue pup, Rocky.
He is pre-deceased by parents, Richard and Caroline Ford; beloved godmother, Ruth Brunie; and aunt Della. On the eve of his last birthday, Richard was preceded in death by the TRUE love of his life, our Doberman, Sadie. He called her his "BabyGirl"...and she truly was!
Richard's wife and family would like to extend their thanks to the Torrance Police Department, for their support during this difficult time. Services will be held at Green Hills Memorial Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at 3 pm. Interment will be private.
Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275
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